Chapter 24 – Following the Death of Uther

She knew any relationship would have its ups and downs—but she hadn't expected a nosy Uncle to be the source of grief! And his latest bit of advice to his nephew tossed her straight off the edge.

"You must silence your wife, Arthur," he had said in that irritating, almost nasal voice of his. "If the people were to see you bow to her wishes...well...they would lose confidence in your ability to rule this kingdom." She had watched a series of emotions pass across her husband's face.

The moment she opened her mouth to speak to the King of Camelot over the proposed treaty with Queen Anise's kingdom, the blond King had ordered her to be silent! In front of everyone in the Council chambers! And Kelly had said nothing more on the matter during that session. But it was a different story when the meeting let out and she stormed off down the corridor. She heard the whispers behind her, and it only fueled her rage.

It wasn't until she walked the staircase to the second floor of the North tower and heard the heavy booted feet running in her direction—and she heard Agravaine's low murmur as he spoke in haste to the King—that she spun around at the top of the stairwell. Standing two steps above set her at level with her husband's conflicted face.

"You cannot just run off without explanation," the King argued halfheartedly, gesturing with his hands. "I wanted to talk to you!"

Kelly turned around and kept walking, then, lifting her skirts as she ascended the steps. "Oh, isn't that nice! After publicly telling me to shut up in front of all those people!" Her voice rose with fury, her southern roots coming out loud and clear. She charged toward their shared chambers, positively seething, heels clicking against the tile. "If you have anything to say, Arthur Pendragon, it had better be something in the manner of a monumental apology!"

Agravaine hurried to keep up with the duo, wearing that smile of his, the one that creeped Kelly out entirely. "My Lady, please," he cautioned smoothly. "He is your King..."

Kelly turned on her heel and bared her teeth at the black-haired man. "DON'T you speak one word to me! YOU started this mess! YOU keep trying to alter my husband—the man everyone knows for his grace and compassion—into a TYRANT worse than Uther ever was!" Her voice bounced off the walls, and servants stopped what they were doing to watch this most unusual exchange in the corridor.

The guards on post at the corridor entrance to the Royal chambers paused, and the first one poked his comrade's shoulder, nodding toward the squabbling couple.

"I beg your pardon," Agravaine said in a manner of shock and outrage. "My Liege, you cannot allow your wife to address a man in this manner! It is most-"

-"DON'T EVEN GO THERE!" Kelly turned her fiery hazel gaze to her shell-shocked husband. "You expect me to stand there and let you talk to me like that, Arthur? To publicly disrespect me?" Her hands flew out to where her girls were being cared for by the maidservant, Guinevere. "What do you think your girls will learn if you allow this behaviour? I won't allow them to grow up thinking that this is NORMAL or expected! I would sooner take them home and raise them properly than-"

-"Kelly, Please," Arthur begged, his fear overriding his need to appear to be the strong King that everyone needed. "You can't-"

Kelly moved to stand right in front of her husband and she raised her chin in defiance. "Watch me," she growled, and she turned to leave. "Until you find your own voice, Arthur, I'm going to stay with my father, and they are coming along. That man-" she pointed at Agravaine-"He's TOXIC. When you decide that your family is more important than his constant undermining of everything you've worked so hard for, you know where to find us!" Her hazel eyes were positively burning with anger, and she spun on her heel, auburn tresses flying as if caught in a maelstrom.

~.~.~

A/N:

That last line was dramatic, I know...but I wanted to create that pissed-off, ethereal image! LOL This is how I think Agravaine's well-known advice might be received by our twenty-first century Queen of Camelot... I can see him instructing...er, encouraging Arthur to tamp down his wife's very bold style.

I hope you enjoyed my little mental jog! Ta, peeps! Let me know if you wish me to continue this particular outtake for a little longer, or if this one chapter seems to be enough. I'm just playing, after all, and I do like to cater to my audience a little bit... :D